Monaco winger Gelson Martins has been banned for six months after several altercations with a referee during Monaco’s recent game with Nimes. The Portuguese international has been severely punished by the French authorities and faces internal discipline from Monaco.
Monaco’s Gelson Martins Banned for Six Months
Lengthy Ban
Portuguese winger Gelson Martins has been banned from football for six months. The winger pushed referee Mikael Lesage twice before being sent off against Nimes.
The 24-year-old has been handed a severe punished from the French football authorities for his violent behaviour towards the official. The winger will miss the rest of this season and the beginning of the 2020/21 season.
Monaco have condemned the actions of the attacker but also feel the ban given to the Portuguese international is harsh. In a statement on their website, Monaco said: “AS Monaco takes note of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee of the LFP to sanction Gelson Martins with a suspension of 6 months dating to February 6, a very heavy sanction.”
“The club once again condemns the unjustifiable behaviour of its attacker, but also regrets the excessive length of this suspension, for a player who has never served a disciplinary ban in more than 200 games at the highest level.”
In addition to his ban, Martins also face potential punishments from Monaco due to clauses in his contract.
Martins’ Place in the Portugal Squad is in Doubt
Martins’ punishment from the LFP has ended his season and the lack of game time between now and the summer is likely to hinder his place in Portugal’s squad for Euro 2020.
The winger has been a regular in the Portugal squad for several seasons, but the lack of playing time could mean manager Fernando Santos looks elsewhere. With plenty of options available to Santos, Martins’ behaviour may have cost him his place in the squad. The winger will likely miss the chance to help Portugal defend their title.
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